“Roger Williams: Trailblazer of Religious Freedom” 30"x40" Mixed Media. Image courtesy of the RI Sec. of State Office
Commissioned by Friends of Gregg Amore for Secretary of State in 2024, this portrait of Roger Williams is the only formal portrait of him to exist in the Rhode Island State House.
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Unveiled in November of the same year, it will temporarily live in the library and be part of the State House tours. Eventually, the portrait will be moved and hung in the main halls alongside other governors of the state.
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Artist Statement:
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Roger Williams never sat for a formal portrait, leaving his exact appearance a mystery.
As a portrait painter, this posed a unique challenge. My goal is to always capture not
only the likeness but also the essence and spirit of my subjects. To honor Williams, I
researched various representations of him and studied the faces of his descendants to
construct a plausible likeness. Incorporating historical context, I used a letter he wrote to the people of Providence in 1650, collaging it onto a map of the area from the same year. His signature is placed just over his left shoulder, positioned on the parcel of land where he lived. In his right hand, I depicted his compass which is displayed in the Rhode Island State House. In addition to providing additional personalization, his compass symbolizes his navigation through the establishment of the doctrine of separation of church and state.
As a nod to my hometown of East Providence where Williams initially settled before
being relocated by Plymouth Colony, I gathered soil samples from Roger Williams
Spring in Rumford. This soil was incorporated into the dark layer of paint at the bottom
of the work. Collectively, these elements allowed me to reimagine what our founding
father might have looked like while creating a piece rich in connections to his
contemporary life.
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You can watch the unveiling from RI Capitol TV here.
